(CNN) - Former GOP presidential candidate John McCain will return to the Senate next week to participate in the lame duck session, his chief of staff Mark Buse tells CNN.

Buse calls McCain “eager” to get back to work in the Senate, saying they talked about focusing specifically on Iraq, Afghanistan and the struggling economy.

McCain is now at his home near Sedona, Arizona, where he went the morning after the election.

Senator Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, among McCain’s close friends who were with him at his creek-side cabin this week, tells CNN that McCain is of course disappointed with the election’s outcome.

“He put his heart in it. It didn’t turn out the way he liked,” Graham said.

However, Graham also says McCain is a “duty bound guy who won’t go A.W.O.L. from his duties in the Senate.” Graham insists McCain is determined to fight President-elect Barack Obama on his tax plan, but is also eager to “find common ground” on other big issues.

Graham reiterated what he told CNN election night, that he hopes McCain will become the next “lion” of the Senate who works across the aisle to find compromise on key legislation.

soundoff(287 Responses)

Should be you as the president elect. Let me apoligize in advance for the american people.

November 7, 2008 03:51 pm at 3:51 pm |

Polly

For he's a jolly-good-fellow...Endure and trust and things will work out.

November 7, 2008 03:52 pm at 3:52 pm |

aware

I have lost respect for John McCain because of the vile Palin attacks from his campaign people. He never dealt with the Palin media attack machine and is ignoring the current fiasco! :(

Camp McCain ran a very poor campaign but it was not Governor Palin's fault! She was the only breath of authentic life in the whole election. To trash Palin equates to the democrats trashing Hillary!

Don't you bitter republicans understand that you are disgracing yourselves and your party?

Neither a republican nor a democrat will I be since they have both demonstrated an outrageous capacity for sick cannibalism in their own ranks! :(

Don't you bitter republicans understand that you are disgracing yourselves and your party?

Palin will be back and so she should be! :)

Governor Palin is the only person who could entice me to vote Republican in 2012 or 2016! :)

November 7, 2008 03:52 pm at 3:52 pm |

LyonsPhilly

Welcome back, just don't act like a wicked old weasel like you did during your campaign. Be careful how you treat folks.

November 7, 2008 03:52 pm at 3:52 pm |

Andrea E- Atlanta

Can Lindsey make up his mind? Is McCain going to be a thorn in the new President's side or is he going to work with him to help the American people? That's whats wrong with the GOP. They are a bunch of hypocrites. The American people are tired of the lying and back-biting. Say what you mean and mean what you say. For crying out loud. It's a shame more of them weren't up for re-election.

November 7, 2008 03:52 pm at 3:52 pm |

A Woman In California For Obama

I'm glad you are returning to the senate too. While I disliked the racial tone totally and resent the message you tried to send-it is all over and as a Christian I am willing to forgive you. Although I bet on election night your (first family) looked real good to you. Perhaps your unforgivable conduct towards your first wife took a lot of votes away from you. Many of us don't like that kind of behavior and it will never be accepted in our society.

My suggestion: go enjoy the second family you sold your soul for and go out with some dignity. I hope your and PE Obama can work together in his new administration and thank you for your service to this country.

November 7, 2008 03:52 pm at 3:52 pm |

TangoDancer

Welcome back senator. This nation still needs you.

November 7, 2008 03:52 pm at 3:52 pm |

Ray, Venice, CA

What's the word Repubs used to discribe Dems back in 2001..."irrelevant".....Mccain you are "irrelevant", as is the rest of your party. Instead of trying to pull Dems to your side of the fence, it's time you begin leaning left......like the majority of the country.

November 7, 2008 03:53 pm at 3:53 pm |

Dj

Hasn't McCain learned his lesson about "fighting?" Fighting (and fighting dirty) is a big part of why is lost so badly.

I really think it is sad what happened to McCain during the election. For a long time, he was a Republican I could always respect and admire, even when I disagreed with him on a position. But for whatever reason, he threw his lot in with the agents of division and fear in order to win the presidency. I sincerely hope to see more of the old John McCain in the future, the gracious, sincere leader we saw in his concession speech. He has a lot of work to do in order to repair the damage he has done to his own reputation by selling out to the radical right.

November 7, 2008 03:54 pm at 3:54 pm |

dollorbil

Yep ole John needs to go back and vote with his buddy George 90% of the time that is left.

November 7, 2008 03:55 pm at 3:55 pm |

Proud to be American

John.... I hope you come back to the Senate the same person you was when you left as John running for VP don't know that guy and he was just grumpy and mean spirted.... hope you got over all that and ready to work to get America out of the mess you voted for 90% of the time ;0(

November 7, 2008 03:55 pm at 3:55 pm |

Turn Texas BLUE

IS HE GOING TO SUSPEND HIS CAMPAIGN? ......OH WAIT HE LOST ON TUESDAY! If he going to go back with a bitter attitude then he dont need to go back!!!

November 7, 2008 03:56 pm at 3:56 pm |

canuck

boy, even when you people win, you are still _ssholes. what a bunch of spoiled children. another reason I will never vote dem.

November 7, 2008 03:56 pm at 3:56 pm |

Puffy

Sorry for ur lost !!!! If u run in the next 8 years make sure u run a positive campagne and pick a runingmate whos qualifie for the job. Not just a beauty queen.

November 7, 2008 03:57 pm at 3:57 pm |

Tim in Seattle

Good on John – now go back and live up on your promise to work with our next President. Since you can't even stand up to the RNC (ie your VP pick) working across the aisle should be a lot easier than standing up for your principals.

November 7, 2008 03:57 pm at 3:57 pm |

Rachelbsw

I take offense the the last statement in this article, McCain wants to be the "next lion" in the Senate. The Lion of the Senate now is Ted Kennedy. Please, do not try to compare yourself to him, or try to take over his title while he is ill.

November 7, 2008 03:57 pm at 3:57 pm |

Leah from FL

Mac needs to drive one of those 13 cars he owns to go cozy up in one of those 8 houses he owns and let America move forward. Old Codgers like him, Lieberman, Chaney, etc don't care if they screw up America for the rest of us. They don't have as many years left as we do. The true value of a man is shown in the most difficult of times. McCain, we saw you self destruct in your campaign. Thank God you weren't elected!!

November 7, 2008 03:57 pm at 3:57 pm |

Mike, Syracuse NY

exposer, you would be hard pressed to find any quotes of John McCain calling Obama any of the things you mention, except 'that one'. Since when is 'that one' a slur? The election is over. McCain was gracious in defeat. Even Obama honors his service to his country. If you are a true Obama supporter, perhaps you would want to emulate his attitude rather than continue to spead lies about a true hero.

November 7, 2008 03:58 pm at 3:58 pm |

Vinson

Folks,

The election is over. Although I voted for Obama, I say this with all the seriousness I can muster:

LEAVE JOHN MCCAIN ALONE NOW.

There is no reason to continue to insult him or Sarah Palin.

Take the high road.

November 7, 2008 03:58 pm at 3:58 pm |

Tim

Hmmm

I wonder how he will work with Palin should she be anointed as the replacement for the soon to be vacated Alaska seat in the Senate. Will McCain work with Palin or will he complain – as his campaign staff has for the last several days – about her incompetence and inability to be a team player?

Perhaps Darren is right, "Retire, John."

November 7, 2008 04:00 pm at 4:00 pm |

David

McCain should led his party in working and co-operating with Obama to move the nation forward. Compromise where compromises can be made but do it with confrontation. There is no need to "fight" as he campaigned in the election.

McCain needs to get rid of that kind of style. The new electorate are looking for cooler heads to prevail and want politicians to overcome their apparent ideas that you always need to fight and disagree with your opponent.

Speak with a conciliatory tone and seek to find common ground.

Go back to the Senate, be proud and hold your head high but quit looking for a "fight" and work for the common good of the American people.

November 7, 2008 04:01 pm at 4:01 pm |

Doug R.

He ran a low dirty dishonest campaign after he told us all he would take the high road and not engage in any personal attacks. The writing was on the wall and McCain knew it. I'm still trying to figure out why in the world he picked someone like Palin to be his VP running mate. Someone walked him like a dog.

November 7, 2008 04:01 pm at 4:01 pm |

Independent

Please, people, show some respect. And please walk the walk with the message of UNITY that Obama has put forth. Disrespecting McCain after all he has done for America is not unity.

November 7, 2008 04:01 pm at 4:01 pm |

David

McCain should lead his party in working and co-operating with Obama to move the nation forward. Compromise where compromises can be made but do it without confrontation. There is no need to "fight" as he campaigned in the election.

McCain needs to get rid of that kind of style. The new electorate are looking for cooler heads to prevail and want politicians to overcome their apparent ideas that you always need to fight and disagree with your opponent.

Speak with a conciliatory tone and seek to find common ground.

Go back to the Senate, be proud and hold your head high but quit looking for a "fight" and work for the common good of the American people.